Category Archives: Opposition

Laurel and I were checking out at our local Target this afternoon. We chose cashier Chip’s line, since it was the shortest. And because we like Chip.

Chip has worked at Target for as long as I can remember. I don’t know his story. He is efficient and polite, but he seems to be somewhat mentally impaired. He repeats himself constantly.

“Welcome to Target. Thank you very much. Sorry for the wait. Will this be all? Sorry for the wait. Thank you very much. God bless.”

It was this last statement that got a rise out of the customer in front of us today. As the gentleman gathered his red and white bag and prepared to leave, he pointed his finger at an unassuming and unsuspecting Chip and said,

“If you can say ‘God bless,’ then I can say ‘God is dead.'”

Laurel and I stood there, stunned. Chip appeared flustered. I felt compelled to intervene. So I called out after the man as he exited the store:

“God still loves you!”

He answered with a raised middle finger.

Well, then.

Chip thanked me for standing with him. I thanked him for blessing people. I thought his response was profound:

“I have to stand with God. He created me. I will always stand with God.”

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27, NIV)